1986 Volume 17 Issue 1 Pages 41-46
Multiple carcinomas of the large intestine are not rare. This report indicates a marked increasing tendency in recent years, especially in cases of multiple carcinomas of the large intestine. During the years 1973 through 1984, 119 patients with large intstine carinoma were enrolled in our department of surgery. A retrospective examination of these data revealed that four patients has multiple large intestine carcinomas (3.5%). Of these, three patients (2.5%) presented simultaneous lesions while one patient (1%) presented metachronous lesions. This paper reviews the experience of this problem. The incidence of multiple carcinomas of the large intestine was 3.5%. The sex ratio was more predominant in the male. In age, when compared with operated cases of usual large intestine carcinoma, the average age of multiple carcinoma operated cases was about 14 years higher. Participation rate of the segments was 100% for the sigmoid, 50% each for the rectum and ascending colon and 25% for the descending colon. Accompanied benign large intestine polyp was found in 75.0% of the cases, which was a significantly higher rate than in usual large intestine carcinoma. Four patients were found to have multiple lesions before resection. The possibility of a second carcinoma makes it imperative for the surgeon to obtain good diagnostic studies, barium-enema studies and proctoscopy of every patient preoperatively. The resected specimen should be examined by the pathologist at the time of operation. Patients who have had colonic resections for carcinoma should be very carefully followed at yearly or shorter intervals with examination, barium-enema studies and proctoscopy. The number of second carcinomas discovered after an interval of time will probably increase with increasing thoroughness and persistence of follow-up studies.
